Magnetic tape drive and assembly for a tape drive

ABSTRACT

A magnetic tape drive and an assembly for a tape drive are disclosed herein. The disclosed magnetic tape drive comprises a SAS-compliant tape drive module; and a USB-C to SAS assembly having one or more controllers operatively coupled to a USB-C connector and a SAS connector. The SAS connector of the USB-C to SAS assembly is operatively coupled to the SAS-compliant tape drive module. The USB-C to SAS assembly is configured to enable the magnetic tape drive to interface a USB-C-compliant computing device with the SAS-compliant tape drive module, and the USB-C to SAS assembly is configured to transmit tape commands received at the USB-C connector to the SAS-compliant tape drive module via the one or more controllers and the SAS connector. The assembly includes a SAS connector, a USB-C connector, and one or more controllers operatively coupled to the SAS connector and the USB-C connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/283,638, entitled “Magnetic Tape Drive”, filed on Feb. 22, 2019,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/634,597, entitled “Magnetic Tape Drive”, filed on Feb. 23, 2018, thedisclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as ifset forth in their entireties herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to computer peripheral devices.More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic tapedrive employing a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) connector and anassembly for a tape drive.

Background and Description of Related Art

Peripheral devices for use with desktop computer systems are well known.Common peripheral devices include printers, monitors, and disk drives.In some cases, users need a way to back up and/or store a massive amountof data. Magnetic tapes have long been a preferred medium for such largedata stores.

Presently, peripheral magnetic tape drives employ relatively slow andlow-bandwidth data transfer protocols with bulky connectors. Such tapedrives are limited by the existing interfacing connection of a tapedrive to a desktop computer running Microsoft Windows or Apple's MAC OS10+ operating systems. Traditionally tape drives use a SAS(serial-attached-SCSI) connection, and in order to use such a tapedrive, one would need an expansion PCI-e SAS interface card insertedinto one's computer, assuming there is an available and powerful enoughexpansion bay. Unfortunately, laptops do not have any PCI-e expansioncapabilities.

Accordingly, there is a need for a magnetic tape drive and an assemblyfor a tape drive that can interface with a laptop computer withoutadditional hardware. The tape drive and assembly of the presentapplication allows a user easily to connect to a Desktop or Laptopcomputer with a USB-C connector rather than the uncommon SAS adapter.The tape drive of the present application is further compatible with aprotocol referred to commercially as Thunderbolt® 3, or with a protocolreferred to commercially as Thunderbolt® 4.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved magnetictape drive device and an assembly for a tape drive that substantiallyobviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations anddeficiencies of the related art.

According to a first embodiment of the present application, Applicantdiscloses a magnetic tape drive. The tape drive comprises aSAS-compliant tape drive module and a USB-C to SAS assembly having oneor more controllers operatively coupled to a USB-C connector and a SASconnector. The SAS connector of the USB-C to SAS assembly is operativelycoupled to the SAS-compliant tape drive module. The USB-C to SASassembly is configured to enable the magnetic tape drive to interface aUSB-C-compliant computing device with the SAS-compliant tape drivemodule, and the USB-C to SAS assembly is configured to transmit tapecommands received at the USB-C connector to the SAS-compliant tape drivemodule via the one or more controllers and the SAS connector.

According to a second embodiment of the present application, Applicantdiscloses a USB-C to SAS assembly for a tape drive. The assemblycomprises a SAS connector configured to be operatively coupled to aSAS-compliant tape drive module; a USB-C connector configured to beoperatively coupled to a USB-C-compliant computing device; and one ormore controllers operatively coupled to the SAS connector and the USB-Cconnector. The one or more controllers are configured to transmit tapecommands received from the USB-C-compliant computing device at the USB-Cconnector to the SAS-compliant tape drive module via the SAS connector.

According to a third embodiment of the present application, Applicantdiscloses a peripheral magnetic tape drive. The tape drive comprises: ahousing; a SAS compliant tape drive module; a power supply; and a USB-Cto SAS assembly. The SAS-compliant tape drive module; the power supply;and the USB-C to SAS assembly are disposed within the housing.

The power supply is operatively coupled to the tape drive module tosupply +12V and +5V power. The power supply also is operatively coupledto the USB-C to SAS assembly to supply +12V power.

The USB-C to SAS assembly is operatively coupled to the tape drivemodule using a SAS data channel. The USB-C to SAS assembly is configuredto enable the peripheral magnetic tape drive to interface a USB-Ccompliant computing device with the SAS-compliant tape drive module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is an orthographic top view of a first example magnetic tapedrive.

FIG. 2 is a front side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 3 is a rear side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 8 is a 3D exploded view of the first example magnetic tape drive.

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the first example magnetic tapedrive.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first example magnetictape drive connected to a computer.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following reference characters identify the associated elementsdepicted in the drawings describing the present invention:

100 Magnetic Tape Drive 102 Outer Cover 104 Front Bezel 106 Tape DriveModule 108 Blank Insert 110A USB-C Receptacle 1 110B USB-C Receptacle 2112 Cartridge Receiving Slot 114 Cartridge Ejection Button 120 TB3 orTB4/PCI-e Card 122 PCI-e/SAS Card 202A-D Feet 302 Rear Plate 304 PowerReceptacle 306 Power Switch 308 Aperture 1 (PS Cooling Fan) 310 Aperture2 (Cooling Fan) 312 Finger Guard 502 Chassis Assembly 504 Grate 802Power Supply 804 Cooling Fan 806 Divider 808 Front Plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present applicationdiscloses an improved magnetic tape drive and an assembly for a tapedrive. The magnetic tape drive of the present application embodiesseveral improvements over the prior art. According to one aspect of thepresent application, the disclosed magnetic tape drive may comprise aThunderbolt® 3 interface which allows approximately four times the datatransfer bandwidth of prior art tape drives. Alternatively, thedisclosed magnetic tape drive may comprise a Thunderbolt® 4 interface.According to another aspect of the present application, the disclosedmagnetic tape drive may use a connection to daisy chain other externaldevices, while also supplying such devices with up to 100 W of power.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , there is shown an orthographic view of anexample magnetic tape drive 100. Example tape drive 100 comprises anouter cover 102 and a front bezel 104 to partially enclose, retain, andprotect interior elements of magnetic tape drive 100. Outer cover 102and front bezel 104 may be constructed, for example, from steelpre-plating having a thickness of 1.0 mm. One of ordinary skill willrecognize that outer cover 102 and front bezel 104 could be constructedfrom various other materials such as die-cast aluminum, or moldedplastic.

Tape drive 100 further comprises a tape drive module 106, and two USB-Ccable receptacles 110A and 110B. Tape drive module may comprise, forexample, a tape drive module compatible with Linear Tape-Open (LTO)magnetic tape media. Tape drive 100 is capable of supporting a secondtape drive module (not shown). When tape drive 100 is configured toinclude a single tape drive module 106, tape drive 100 may comprise ablank insert 108 to act as a placeholder for a second tape drive moduleand to protect the interior elements of tape drive 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , tape drive module 106 is operative to read andwrite magnetic tape cartridges (not shown) which may store large amountsof digital data. Tape drive module 106 receives and ejects a magnetictape cartridge via cartridge receiving slot 112 which may comprise aspring loaded, protective door. A user may eject the magnetic tapecartridge from tape drive module 106 using cartridge ejection button114. Front feet 202A and 202B, which partially support magnetic tapedrive 100, are also illustrated in FIG. 2 .

Magnetic tape drive 100 employs a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3) or Thunderbolt® 4(TB4) communication interface to communicate with a personal computerand/or other devices. Magnetic tape drive 100 further comprisesreceptacles 110A and 110B for receiving Universal Serial Bus Type-C(USB-C) connectors. Receptacles 110A and 110B provide access to PCI-e toTB3 or TB4 card 120 (best shown in FIG. 8 ) which converts between aThunderbolt® 3 or Thunderbolt® 4 interface protocol and a PeripheralComponent Interconnect Express (PCI-e) interface protocol. Card 120 isoperatively coupled to SAS/PCI-e card 122 which in turn is operativelycoupled to tape drive module 106, thereby enabling tape drive module 106to communicate with devices supporting the Thunderbolt® 3 orThunderbolt® 4 interface. The SAS/PCI-e card 122 converts between aPeripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-e) interface protocol anda serial-attached-SCSI (SAS) interface protocol. As known in the art,SCSI refers to a Small Computer System Interface. For a Thunderbolt® 3interface protocol, the PCI-e to TB3 card 120 may comprise an adaptercard such as Areca Technology Corporation model no. ARC-4050-T3, forexample. For a Thunderbolt® 4 interface protocol, the PCI-e to TB4 card120 may comprise an adapter card, which is similar to the ARC-4050-T3card, but configured for a Thunderbolt® 4 protocol instead of aThunderbolt® 3 protocol. SAS/PCI-e card 122 may comprise an adapter cardsuch as Areca Technology Corporation model no. ARC-1330-8T, for example.The PCI-e to TB3 or TB4 card 120 includes a controller and one or moreUSB-C connectors, while the SAS/PCI-e card 122 includes a controller andone or more SAS connectors. The PCI-e to TB3 or TB4 card 120 isoperatively coupled to the SAS/PCI-e card 122 so as to form a dualbridge card arrangement for transmitting tape commands received from theUSB-C-compliant computing device to the SAS-compliant tape drive module.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , magnetic tape drive 100 further comprises arear plate 302 covering the rear portion of the interior of magnetictape drive 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , magnetic tape drive 100further comprises a power receptacle 304 for receiving a cord supplyingtape drive 100 with 120V external power. Power switch 306 may beintegrated into, or provided separate from, power supply 802 (best shownin FIG. 8 ) for turning tape drive 100 on and off. Power supply 802 maycomprise a power supply such as Seasonic model no. SSP-250SUB, forexample. Rear plate 302 comprises two exhaust apertures 308 and 310 fordissipating heat from tape drive 100. Aperture 308 enables power supply802 to dissipate heat using an integrated power supply cooling fan.Aperture 310 enables heat to be dissipated from a cooling fan 804 (bestshown in FIG. 8 ) located within tape drive 100. A finger guard 312 orother protective grate may be used to cover aperture 310.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is depicted a top plan view of magnetictape drive 100. As illustrated, magnetic tape drive 100 comprises topplate 102.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is depicted a bottom plan view of magnetictape drive 100. As illustrated, magnetic tape drive 100 comprises achassis assembly 502. Feet 202A-D may be attached to chassis assembly502, and chassis assembly 502 may include a grate 504 to maintain properair flow through the device to cool internal components. In the exampleembodiment, grate 504 may operate as an air intake for the cooling fansdescribed above.

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively depict right and left side views of magnetictape drive 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , there is depicted a 3D exploded view ofmagnetic tape drive 100. FIG. 8 illustrates the cooperation and relativeexample positions of the components of magnetic tape drive 100. Asshown, FIG. 8 depicts divider plate 806 which is configured to separatetape drive module 106 and power supply 802. As shown tape drive 100further comprises a front plate 808 for securing front bezel 104 tochassis assembly 502.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , there is depicted a schematic diagram of thecomponents of magnetic tape drive 100. As illustrated, power supply 802supplies power to various components of tape drive 100.

Accordingly, power supply 802 supplies +12V power to cooling fan 804.Power supply 802 further supplies +12V power to SAS/PCI-e card 122.Power supply 802 also supplies +12V power to the tape drive module 106to operate an internal motor and +5V power to the tape drive module 106to operate a logic board. As illustrated, SAS/PCI-e card 122 supplies aSAS data signal to/from tape drive module 106. In the exampleembodiment, the 12-volt (+12V) and 5-volt (+5V) power supplied by thepower supply 802 is direct current (DC) power.

Referring now to FIG. 10 , there is depicted a schematic diagramillustrating the magnetic tape drive 100 connected to a computer. Asillustrated at blocks 1002 and 1004, the tape drive module 106 isconnected to the SAS/PCI-e adapter card. At blocks 1004 and 1006, theSAS/PCI-e interface is connected to the PCI-e/TB3 or TB4 adapter card.At blocks 1006-1010, a Thunderbolt® 3 or Thunderbolt® 4 cable, orequivalent USB-C cable, connects the PCI-e/TB3 or TB4 adapter card to adesktop or laptop computer.

While the devices, systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated bydescribing examples, and while the examples have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict, or in any way, limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe devices, systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additionaladvantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations,modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appendedclaims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of theinvention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Finally, to the extent that the term “includes” or “including” isemployed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as that term isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims(e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When theapplicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term“only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when theapplicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, theapplicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Thus, use of theterm “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See BryanA. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic tape drive, said tape drivecomprising: a SAS-compliant tape drive module, the SAS-compliant tapedrive module comprising a Linear Tape-Open (LTO) magnetic tape drivemodule; and a USB-C to SAS assembly having one or more controllersoperatively coupled to a USB-C connector and a SAS connector, the SASconnector of the USB-C to SAS assembly operatively coupled to theSAS-compliant tape drive module, the USB-C to SAS assembly configured toenable the magnetic tape drive to interface a USB-C-compliant computingdevice with the SAS-compliant tape drive module, and the USB-C to SASassembly configured to transmit tape commands received at the USB-Cconnector to the SAS-compliant tape drive module via the one or morecontrollers and the SAS connector.
 2. The magnetic tape drive accordingto claim 1, wherein the USB-C-compliant computing device comprises aUSB-C-compliant laptop computer or a USB-C-compliant desktop computer.3. The magnetic tape drive according to claim 1, wherein the USB-C toSAS assembly sends and receives data using a Thunderbolt® 3 protocol. 4.The magnetic tape drive according to claim 1, wherein the USB-C to SASassembly sends and receives data using a Thunderbolt® 4 protocol.
 5. AUSB-C to SAS assembly for a tape drive, said assembly comprising: a SASconnector configured to be operatively coupled to a SAS-compliant tapedrive module; a USB-C connector configured to be operatively coupled toa USB-C-compliant computing device; and one or more controllersoperatively coupled to the SAS connector and the USB-C connector, theone or more controllers configured to transmit tape commands receivedfrom the USB-C-compliant computing device at the USB-C connector to theSAS-compliant tape drive module via the SAS connector, wherein the USB-Cto SAS assembly sends and receives data using a Thunderbolt® 3 (TB3)protocol or a Thunderbolt® 4 (TB4) protocol.
 6. The USB-C to SASassembly according to claim 5, wherein the USB-C-compliant computingdevice comprises a USB-C-compliant laptop computer or a USB-C-compliantdesktop computer.
 7. The USB-C to SAS assembly according to claim 5,wherein the USB-C to SAS assembly sends and receives data using aThunderbolt® 3 protocol.
 8. The USB-C to SAS assembly according to claim5, wherein the USB-C to SAS assembly sends and receives data using aThunderbolt® 4 protocol.
 9. The USB-C to SAS assembly according to claim5, wherein the SAS-compliant tape drive module comprises a LinearTape-Open (LTO) magnetic tape module.